Exercise machine

ABSTRACT

An exercise machine includes a frame with a bench and/or standing platform mounted thereon. A pivotable member is pivotally mounted on the frame and rotates against a force produced by gas springs or other mechanisms each pivotally and removably connected to the frame and pivotable member at respective mounting locations. The gas springs are selectively mountable at a variety of locations in order to vary the direction and degree of force against which the user works. A handle and foot rest may be connected to the pivotable member and a cable-pulley assembly may be mounted on the pivotable member and frame for manipulation by a user. The pivotable member may be bent or curved toward the frame. A mounting structure may be slidable along the pivotable member or members of the frame to facilitate positioning of the gas springs for adjusting the degree of resistant force experienced by the user.

CROSS REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority fromU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/513,504, filed Oct. 22, 2003; thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to an improved exercise machine of the sort havinga bench and/or standing platform for laying, sitting or standing uponduring exercise. More particularly, the invention relates to such anexercise machine having a pivotable arm upon which the user imparts aforce which is reacted by a gas chamber. Specifically, the inventionrelates to such an exercise machine wherein gas chambers have alternateconnection points on a frame upon which the bench sits and on thepivotable arm, the gas chamber being removably connected so as to movebetween alternate connection points and wherein the pivotable arm iscurved or includes sections bent with respect to one another tofacilitate a preferred feel in the operation of the exercise machine.

2. Background Information

A great deal of exercise machines have been created in the past toenhance the interaction between the user and the machine. The well-knownweightlifting bench has spawned numerous related bench-type exercisemachines which simulate weightlifting or other types of movementswherein the user is able to move in a variety of ways while workingagainst a force generally created by weights. For example, there arebenches connected to pulleys with cables passing thereover havingweights hanging at the other end. One of the drawbacks to benchesutilizing weights is the necessity of incorporating the weights into theexercise machine. Such weights not only take up space but are inherentlyheavy and difficult to move around, thus tending to make such exercisemachines more of a permanent stationary object as opposed to one whichis movable with relative ease. In addition, the related apparatus forholding the weights takes up additional space. Moreover, the use ofweights creates injury risks due to dropping them on some portion of thebody. Alternately, a user may incur an injury from the lifting ofweights and then be at additional risk by the fact that the weight mustbe lowered while the user is injured. In addition, a given exercisebench is typically limited to a single type of movement or a verylimited number of such movements. Another problem that arises with suchbenches or similar exercise machines relates to the feel of the machineduring operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an exercise machine comprising a frameadapted to sit on a floor and having a plurality of frame mountinglocations; a pivotable member pivotally mounted on the frame about apivot axis and having at least one pivotable member mounting location;and at least one force producing mechanism mountable at the at least onepivotable member mounting location and selectively mountable at arespective one of the frame mounting locations.

The present invention further provides an exercise machine comprising aframe adapted to sit on a floor; the frame having opposed front and rearends and at least one frame mounting location; a user support mounted onthe frame; an elongated pivotable member pivotally mounted on the frameabout a pivot axis which is disposed rearwardly of the user support; thepivotable member including an elongated first portion extending fromadjacent the pivot axis in a generally forward direction and anelongated second portion extending from adjacent the pivot axis in agenerally rearward direction; the pivotable member having at least onepivotable member mounting location; and at least one force producingmechanism mountable at the at least one frame mounting location andmountable at the least one pivotable member mounting location.

The present invention also provides an exercise machine comprising aframe adapted to sit on a floor; the frame having opposed front and rearends and at least one frame mounting location; a standing platformmounted on the frame; an elongated pivotable member pivotally mounted onthe frame about a pivot axis and having at least one pivotable membermounting location; the pivotable member extending forward of the pivotaxis generally toward the standing platform; and at least one forceproducing mechanism mountable at the at least one frame mountinglocation and mountable at the at least one pivotable member mountinglocation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the exercisemachine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the exercise machine showing aperson laying on the bench with retracted or bent arms.

FIG. 3 is a figure similar to FIG. 2 except with the person's armextended and the handle of the pivotable arm moved upwardly and the gaschamber undergoing compression.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the first embodiment with the gaschamber connected to the bench and the pivotable arm at differentlocations and a person sitting in an upright position on the bench witharms extended to the handle.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 except that the person's arms are retractedto move the handle of the pivotable arm toward the person and compressthe gas chamber.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the first embodiment showing thegas chamber in yet another location with the person sitting on the benchwith feet on a foot rest mounted on the pivotable arm and with kneesbent.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 except that the person's legs are extendedto push the foot rest outwardly and extend the gas chamber to put thegas chamber under compression.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the exercisemachine of the present invention wherein the pivotable arm has severalsections that are bent with respect to one another and wherein a supportleg of the frame also has several sections bent with respect to oneanother.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment showing aperson laying on the bench with arms retracted.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 except the person's arms are extended tomove the handle upwardly and to compress the gas chamber.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment with the gaschamber connected to a different point on the frame showing a personwith retracted arms laying on the bench.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11 except the person has extended arms tomove the handle upwardly and to retract the gas chamber.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment showing anadditional gas chamber being connected between the frame and thepivotable arm and further shows a person laying down on the bench witharms in a retracted position.

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13 except the person's arms are extended tocompress the first gas chamber and extend the second gas chamber.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment with thefirst gas chamber removed from the configuration of FIG. 14 and with aperson sitting on the bench with arms extended.

FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15 except the person's arms are retracted topull the handle downwardly and to compress the gas chamber.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the exercisemachine of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the third embodiment shown in FIG.17.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view of the encircled portion of FIG.18 and shows the adjusting sleeve.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the presentinvention showing removal of the bench and the gas springs.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the third embodiment after removal ofthe bench and gas springs showing extension of the handle.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the securingmechanism used for securing the handle at various positions.

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the third embodiment showing therotation of the handle to a raised position.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the presentinvention utilizing a pulley and cable assembly and alternate locationof the gas springs wherein the bench is removed.

FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the third embodiment indicatingmovement of the pivotable member, the cable pull handle and the gassprings.

FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of the third embodiment showing afirst position in solid lines and a second position in phantom toillustrate the varying direction of the origin of the resistive force tothe movement of the cable pull handle.

FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention utilizing an alternate cable and pulley assembly.

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention utilizing the cable and pulley assembly of FIG. 27 and analternate gas spring adjustment configuration.

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention utilizing an alternate cable and pulley assembly for use withother exercise machines adapted for use with a cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The first embodiment of the exercise machine of the present invention isindicated generally at 100 and is shown particularly in FIGS. 1-2. Asecond embodiment is indicated generally at 200 in FIGS. 8-9. A thirdembodiment is indicated generally at 300 in FIGS. 17-18. A fourthembodiment is indicated generally at 500 in FIG. 28. A fifth embodimentis indicated generally at 600 in FIG. 29.

Exercise machine 100 includes a frame 102 with a user support in theform of a bench 104 sitting thereon. Frame 102 includes an invertedgenerally U-shaped member 106 to which bench 104 is connected. U-shapedmember 106 is connected at its ends to a respective pair of horizontalfeet 108 at a central location thereof. A pair of spaced angle irons 110are situated parallel to one another and are attached to each foot 108at respective ends of angle irons 110. The ends of angle irons 110 areconnected to each foot 108 on opposite sides of U-shaped member 106.Frame 102 further includes a mounting arm 112 having a lower enddisposed between and mounted to spaced angle irons 110. Mounting arm 112is further mounted at an intermediate position to U-shaped member 106 asmounting arm 112 angles upwardly and outwardly from the lower end towardan opposed upper end 114 disposed outwardly and upwardly of bench 104. Atrunnion 116 is mounted on upper end 114 of mounting arm 112 andincludes a pivot pin 118 on which a pivotable member or arm 120 ispivotably mounted so that pivotable arm 120 pivots substantially in avertical plane, although arm 120 may rotate in a different plane withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Frame 102 has a length asmeasured in a horizontal direction which extends from the foot 108distal mounting arm 112 (foot 108 to the left in the Figures) to upperend 114 of mounting arm 112.

Pivotable arm 120 includes a first end 122 and a second opposed end 124defining a length extending therebetween. The length of pivotable arm120 is roughly of the same order as the length of frame 102. The lengthof pivotable arm 120 far exceeds its cross sectional dimensions, asdiscussed later. When first end 122 is in a lowered position, it extendsover bench 104. A handle 126 is connected to pivotable arm 120 at firstend 122 and extends perpendicularly thereto. Similarly, a foot rest 128is connected to pivotable arm 120 adjacent second end 124 and extendsperpendicularly thereto.

In accordance with one of the main features of the present invention, aforce producing mechanism in the form of a gas chamber 130 including acylinder 132 and a piston rod 134 is pivotally connected adjacent afirst end 136 of gas chamber 130 to frame 102 and further pivotallyconnected adjacent a second end 138 of gas chamber 130 to pivotable arm120 adjacent second end 124 thereof. More particularly, gas chamber 130is connected adjacent first end 136 to a mounting location in the formof a pivot mount 140 which is connected to one of feet 108. Gas chamber130 is connected adjacent second end 138 at another mounting location inthe form of a pivot mount 142 connected to pivotable arm 120. Mostpreferably, gas chamber 130 is a gas spring, although other forceproducing mechanisms may be used. Gas springs provide a resistance forcewhich increases somewhat during compression, but the increase issubstantially less than a piston-cylinder combination wherein the pistonseals against the inner surface of the cylinder and thus creates asubstantial pressure increase very quickly during compression. It hasbeen found that gas springs are highly suited for use with the presentinvention.

In accordance with another one of the main features of the presentinvention, gas chamber 130 is removably mounted to pivot mounts 140 and142 and there are a plurality of pivot mounts located on frame 102 andon pivotable arm 120 such that gas chamber 130 may be mounted atdifferent locations to provide a different configuration suitable todifferent exercises which can be performed on exercise machine 100. Inthe embodiments shown, additional pivot mounts are shown at 144 mountedon frame 102 at the confluence of U-shaped member 106 and mounting arm112 and also at 146 on pivotable arm 120 adjacent first end 122. Withreference to FIGS. 2-7, machine 100 is shown sitting on a floor 148 witha person 150 sitting or laying atop bench 104. Person 150 has arms 152and legs 154.

In operation, and with continued reference to FIGS. 2-7, exercisemachine 100 functions as follows. FIGS. 2-3 show one option for the useof exercise machine 100. In FIG. 2, person 150 is laying on bench 104with arms 152 retracted in preparation to manipulate handle 126. Gaschamber 130 is connected as shown in FIG. 1 and described above, and isin an extended position in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows person 150 havingextended arms 152 to push handle 126 upwardly, thereby pivotingpivotable arm 120 about pivot pin 118 in the direction shown by Arrow Awhereby second end 124 of pivot member 120 is moved downwardly. In turn,cylinder 132 is moved toward a retracted position in the direction shownby Arrow B in FIG. 3. During this movement, gas chamber 130 pivotsadjacent pivot mounts 142 on pivotable arm 120 and pivot mount 140 onframe 102. Thus, person 150 exerts upward force which is reacted bycompression of gas within cylinder 132 of gas chamber 130. Thiscompression of gas provides resistance against which person 150 exertsforce in order to exercise. This basic concept is true of all of theembodiments in this application.

FIGS. 4-5 show an alternate position for the use of gas chamber 130. Inthis alternate position, gas chamber 130 is connected adjacent first end136 to pivot mount 144 on frame 102 and adjacent second end 138 andpivot mount 146 on pivotable arm 120. FIG. 4 shows person 150 sitting onbench 104 facing gas chamber 130 and pivotable arm 120 with arms 152extended. FIG. 5 shows person 150 having retracted arms 152 towardthemselves so that handle 126 is pulled downwardly and toward bench 104.Thus, pivotable arm 120 rotates about pivot pin 118 in the directionshown by Arrow C in FIG. 4, in turn compressing gas chamber 130 into aretracted position, cylinder 132 having moved in the direction of ArrowD in FIG. 4 while pivotal movement adjacent first end 136 and first end138 has occurred as in the previous option shown in FIGS. 2-3.

FIGS. 6-7 shown a third option for the use of exercise machine 100. FIG.6 shows person 150 sitting on bench 104 facing pivotable arm 120 withfeet (not shown) resting on foot rest 128 and with legs 154 bent. FIG. 6shows gas chamber 130 in a retracted position. FIG. 7 shows person 150having extended legs 154 to push foot rest 128 outwardly away from bench104, thereby rotating pivotable arm 120 about pivot pin 118 in adirection shown by Arrow E in FIG. 7. Simultaneously, gas chamber 130 ismoved to an extended position with cylinder 132 moving outwardly in thedirection as shown as Arrow F.

Pivot mounts may be located in a great variety of positions alongpivotable arm 120 and on frame 102 to provide different options for thepositioning of gas chamber 130. In addition, person 150 may movepivotable arm 130 in directions opposite to that shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and7 to create a resistance reaction to the movement within gas chamber130.

With reference to FIGS. 8-16, exercise machine 200 is further detailed.Exercise machine 200 includes a frame 202 with a user support in theform of a bench 204 sitting atop a portion thereof. Frame 202 includes agenerally Z-shaped member 206 having a generally horizontal middleportion 208 to which bench 204 is connected. Z-shaped member 206 furtherincludes a lower leg 210 extending outwardly and downwardly from one endof middle portion 208 and an upper portion 212 extending upwardly andoutwardly from the other end of middle portion 208, whereby lowerportion 210 and upper portion 212 extend generally away from oneanother. Lower leg 210 is attached to a horizontal foot 214 whichextends perpendicular to lower leg 210.

In accordance with another one of the main features of the presentinvention, frame 202 further includes a bent leg 216 having an uppersection 218, an intermediate section 220 connected to and extendingdownwardly from upper section 218 and a lower section 222 connected toand extending downwardly from intermediate section 220. Each section218, 220 and 222 is bent or angled with respect to one another, as atbend 224 between section 218 and 220 and bend 226 between section 220and 222. Section 218 is connected at an upper end thereof to upper leg212 of V-shaped member 206 and angles downwardly and outwardly somewhattherefrom. Intermediate section 220 further angles downwardly andoutwardly from upper section 218 and lower section 222 further anglesoutwardly and downwardly from section 220. Lower section 222 isconnected to a second horizontal foot 228 at a center portion thereof,section 222 being perpendicular to foot 228. Frame 202 has a lengthextending from first foot 214 to second foot 228.

In accordance with another one of the main features of the presentinvention, a bent pivotable member or arm 230 is pivotally mounted toupper leg 212 adjacent an upper end thereof via pivot pin 232. Pivotablearm 230 has a pair of opposed terminal ends defining a lengththerebetween. Pivotable arm includes a first section 234 adjacent oneend of arm 230, a second section 236 connected to and extending fromfirst section 234, a third section 238 connected to and extending fromsecond section 236 and a fourth section 240 connected to and extendingfrom third section 238. Each of these sections is bent or angled withrespect to its adjacent counterpart, as at bend 242 between sections 234and 236, bend 244 between sections 236 and 238 and bend 246 betweensections 238 and 240. A handle 248 has a longitudinal axis 250 and isconnected to first section 234 of arm 230 adjacent an end thereof andextends perpendicularly to first section 234. Due to its bent nature,pivotable arm 230 approximates a curve and is broadly a shallow U-shapedmember with its interior opening downwardly when handle 248 is in alowered position as shown in FIG. 9. The length of pivotable arm 230 isroughly of the same order as the length of frame 202. The length ofpivotable arm 230 far exceeds its cross sectional dimensions, asdiscussed later.

As with the previous embodiment, exercise machine 200 includes aplurality of mounting locations in the form of pivot pins located onframe 202 and pivotable arm 230. In accordance with one of the mainfeatures of the invention, one of these pivotable pins is mounted onbent leg 216 and is shown at 252 extending from intermediate section220. Frame 202 includes another pivot pin 254 extending from upper leg212 of Z-shaped member 206. Pivotable arm 230 includes three pivot pins,one at 256 extending from second section 236, another at 258 extendingfrom third section 238 and yet another at 260 extending from fourthsection 240. A force producing mechanism in the form of a gas chamber262 extends between and is pivotally mounted at either end thereof onpivot pins 252 and 258. Gas chamber 262 includes a cylinder 264 and apiston rod 266. Pivot pin 256 has a longitudinal axis 268, pivot pin 258has a longitudinal axis 270, pivot pin 260 has a longitudinal axis 272and pivot pin 232 has a longitudinal axis 274, all of which are parallelto one another.

In accordance with one of the main features of the present invention, atriangle perpendicular to the parallel axes is defined by axis 250 ofhandle 248, axis 274 of pivot pin 232, and either of axes 270 and 272 ofpivot pins 258 and 260 respectively. Thus, any such axis of a pivot pinsituated on pivotable arm 230 located on the other side of pivot pin 232from handle 248 which similarly defines a triangle fits within thisconcept of the invention. In particular, this triangular configurationbetween the noted axes presents a movement pattern which is distinctfrom that found with three aligned axes, two of which pivot about themiddle axis and are disposed on opposite sides of the middle axis. Thisdistinct movement accounts for some of the feel associated with the useof exercise machine 200. The triangles just discussed can be created bya structure other than the bent arm structure of pivotable arm 230. Forexample, a plate, or a triangular shaped figure with pivot pins may beused. However, the bent section nature of arm 230 also adds its ownparticular benefits to the invention. First, it is a relativelylightweight construction compared to the possibilities just mentioned.In addition, in the region of handle 248, bent arm 230 provides anarch-like structure beneath which the head of person 250 can be moreeasily positioned than with a straight member. This adds to the safetyfeature by preventing inadvertent contact between the head of person 250and arm 230. Further, bent arm 230 provides a structure which isshortened compared to a straight member offering similar angles withwhich gas chamber 262 is connected to pivot points 258 and 260.

In operation, and with reference to FIGS. 9-16, exercise machine 200functions as follows. With reference to FIGS. 9-10, exercise machine 200is used with gas chamber 262 connected as previously noted. FIG. 9 showsperson 150 in a supine position on bench 204 with arms 152 in aretracted or bent position. Gas chamber 262 is in an extended positionin FIG. 9. FIG. 10 shows person 150 having extended arms 152 so thathandle 248 moves generally upwardly to cause pivotable arm 230 to rotateabout pivot pin 232 in the direction indicated by Arrow G and causes gaschamber 262 to be retracted and the gas within compressed as cylinder264 moves in a direction as indicated by Arrow H.

An alternate option is shown in FIGS. 11-12, wherein gas chamber 262 isconnected at either end to respective pivot pins 254 and 260. Thus, thetriangle of concern has been changed to include axis 272 of pivot pin260, whereas in the option shown in FIGS. 9-10, the triangle includedaxis 270 of pivot pin 258. FIG. 11 shows person 150 laying on bench 204with arms 152 bent or retracted with gas chamber 262 in an extendedposition. FIG. 12 shows person 150 having extended arms 152 to pushhandle 248 upwardly to rotate pivotable arm 230 about pivot pin 232 inthe direction indicated by Arrow J to move gas chamber 262 toward aretracted position by moving cylinder 264 in the direction indicated byArrow K.

FIGS. 13-14 show yet another option whereby two gas chambers 262A and262B are used in conjunction. Gas chamber 262A is shown in the positiondepicted in FIGS. 9-10 and is shown in an extended position in FIG. 13.Gas chamber 262B has its ends connected at pivot pins 254 and 256 and isin a retracted position in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 further shows person 150laying on bench 204 with arms 152 in a bent position. FIG. 14 showsperson 150 having extended arms 152 to push handle 248 upwardly torotate pivotable arm 230 about the Arrow shown at L to move gas chamber262A toward a retracted position as cylinder 264A moves in a directionindicated by Arrow M and to move gas chamber 262B toward an extendedposition, moving cylinder 264B in the direction indicated by Arrow N.Thus, the force exerted by person 150 in extending arms 152 is reactedin two gas chambers whereby additional resistance to said force iscreated. It is noted that gas springs are configured to create aresistance force under compression and therefore the force producingmechanism at 262B in FIG. 14 would not be a gas spring if a resistanceforce is desired in opposition to the extension of the user's arms.

FIGS. 15-16 show yet another option wherein gas chamber 262A has beenremoved from exercise machine 200 in comparison to the configuration ofFIGS. 13-14 so that only gas chamber 262B remains attached in theposition shown in FIGS. 13-14. However, exercise machine 200 is beingused in a different fashion than FIGS. 15-16. FIG. 15 shows person 150sitting atop bench 204 facing pivotable arm 230 with arms 152 extendedand gas chamber 262B in an extended position. FIG. 16 shows person 150with arms 152 pulled downwardly to rotate pivotable arm 230 about pivotpin 232 in the direction indicated by Arrow O to move gas chamber 262Btoward a retracted position by moving cylinder 264B in the directionindicated at Arrow P.

As shown in the figures, exercise machine 200 provides a great varietyof options as to the positions in which a person 150 can use the machineas well as the positions of gas chamber 262 and its connections to thevarious pivot pins. Further, the bent nature of pivotable arm 230 aswell as bent leg 216 offers an improved feel during operation of machine200. As shown in the first embodiment, pivotable arm 230 may be providedwith a foot rest to increase the options of exercise machine 200.

It is contemplated that pivotable arm 230 may have sections bent withrespect to one another such that they are bent upwardly in the oppositedirection shown in the figures. While such an option may offer certainadvantages, it also would create an additional upward dimension tomachine 200 as compared with the position as shown in FIG. 9. Such aconfiguration would require that gas chambers be longer than thoserequired in the present embodiment. Such a configuration would also movehandle 248 further away from person 150 and eliminate the space createdbelow pivotable arm 230 in the area where the head of person 150 ispositioned when in a supine position. The bent nature of arm 230 alsoreduces the overall length of machine 200 compared to a pivotable armwhich is straight. Pivotable arm 230 also allows for a shorter lengthgas chamber 262 to be utilized between the pivot pins on pivotable arm230 disposed opposite of pivot pin 232 from handle 248. Bent leg 216serves another purpose. Because arm 230 serves to reduce the length ofgas chamber 262 needed, it also reduces the space available to install agas chamber between the outer end of arm 230 and bent leg 216. Thus,bent leg 216 is bent so that upper section 218 and lower section 222extends somewhat toward the outer portion of arm 230, in particulartowards third section 238 and fourth section 240. Thus, middle section220 of bent arm 216 is disposed further away from said sections 238 and240 of arm 230 to provide additional space for gas chamber 262.

Bent pivotable arm 230 may be an arcuate arm and thus provide similarfeatures, although not exactly the same. Bent arm 230 also has anadvantage of being capable of construction from a series of straightsections.

It is further contemplated that an exercise machine using gas chambersand/or a bent arm may be constructed without the use of a bench. Forexample, such a machine may be configured for exercising in a standingposition. Further, the bench variety machines may be used with a personon his or her side with a pivotable arm pivoting, for example, in ahorizontal plane. Such variations are within the scope of the invention.

Exercise machine 300 (FIGS. 17-18) has a front end 302 and an rear end304 opposed thereto. Machine 300 is generally elongated along an axialdirection extending between front end 302 and rear end 304. Machine 300also has a pair of opposed sides 306 (FIG. 17) defining an axialdirection extending therebetween. Machine 300 is substantiallybilaterally symmetrical with respect to an imaginary vertical plane (notshown) extending in the longitudinal direction and centered betweensides 306 of machine 300.

Machine 300 includes a frame 308, a standing platform 310 mounted onframe 308, a bench 312 removably mounted on frame 308, a pivotablemember 314 pivotally mounted on frame 308 about a pivot axis 316 (FIG.17) and a plurality of force producing mechanisms in the form of gassprings 318.

Frame 308 has a front end 317, a rear end 319 opposed thereto andincludes a base 320 adapted to lie on a floor 322. Frame 308 has alength extending from front end 317 to rear end 319. Base 320 includesan axially extending first foot 324 adjacent front end 302 and anaxially extending second foot 326 spaced from first foot 324 anddisposed adjacent rear end 304. A centrally located longitudinallyextending member 328 is connected to first foot 324 and extends towardsecond foot 326 about half the distance between first and second feet324 and 326. A longitudinally extending connecting member 330 extendsfrom and is connected to longitudinal member 328 to second foot 326, towhich member 330 is connected. A mounting arm 332 angles upwardly andrearwardly from longitudinal member 328 adjacent its connection withconnecting member 330 and terminates in an upper end 334. Mounting arm332 and longitudinal member 328 are formed as an integral one-piecemember. Frame 308 further includes a leg 336 which extends from and isconnected to second foot 326 and angles upwardly and rearwardly to aterminal upper end 338. Leg 336 adjacent upper end 338 thereofintersects and is connected to mounting arm 332 adjacent upper end 334thereof. Frame 308 has a vertical height extending from its lowermostportion, for example second foot 326, to its uppermost portion atop leg336 at upper end 338. The height of frame 308 is substantially the sameas the length of leg 336 and would be so if leg 336 were verticallyoriented.

A pair of pulley mounting locations 340 in the form of U-shaped loopsare mounted on mounting arm 332 of frame 308. Mounting locations 340include lower mounting location 340A and upper mounting location 340B.Lower mounting location 340A is adjacent the intersection oflongitudinal member 328, mounting arm 332 and connecting member 330.Upper mounting location 340B is located approximately centrally alongthe length of mounting arm 332. Each mounting location 340 extendsgenerally upwardly from mounting arm 332. A first set 342 of framemounting locations are mounted on mounting arm 332 along the upper halfof mounting arm 332. First set 342 of frame mounting locations includesa pair of spaced mounting structures 344 disposed on either side ofmounting arm 332 as best seen in FIG. 17. Each mounting structure 344 isremovably mounted although they may be fixedly attached if desired. Eachmounting structure 344 includes an elongated bar 346 with three axiallyextending mounting members 348 each defining an axially extending axis350. One of mounting members 348 on one side of mounting arm 332 cannotbe seen in the Figures, but each mounting structure 344 is substantiallya mirror image of the other so that each of the three mounting members348 on each bar 346 is aligned with a respective mounting member 348 ofthe other mounting structure 344 such that axes 350 of the threemounting members 348 of each bar 346 are respectively coaxial. Apreferred configuration of each mounting member 348 includes a generallyspherical outer portion, more commonly known as a ball stud or a similartype structure, which facilitates a snap-fit connection with gas springs318 for quick removal and replacement thereof. Preferably, this snap-fitconnection is via a ball and socket connection.

A second set 352 of frame mounting locations is mounted on leg 336 offrame 308 along the lower half of leg 336 and adjacent second foot 326.Second set 352 includes a mounting structure in the form of a pluralityof axially extending mounting members 354 (FIG. 20) removably connectedto and extending outwardly from each side of leg 336, including a firstpair of mounting members 354A and a second pair of mounting members 354Bdisposed upwardly of members 354A. Mounting members 354A are alignedwith one another on the opposed sides of leg 336, as are mountingmembers 354B. Each mounting member 354 defines an axially extending axis356 such that mounting members 354A are coaxial with one another andmounting members 354B are coaxial with one another. Each mounting member354 has substantially the same configuration as each mounting member348. A portion of leg 336 adjacent upper end 338 constitutes a firststop 358 for limiting rotational movement of pivotable member 314 in afirst direction which is counterclockwise as viewed from the perspectiveof FIG. 18. Another portion of leg 336 adjacent second foot 326 definesa second stop for limiting the rotation of pivotable member 314 in asecond direction opposite to the first direction.

Standing platform 310 is one form of a user support for supporting theuser of machine 300 during use thereof. Platform 310 is rigidly mountedon frame 308 by any suitable means known in the art. More particularly,standing platform 310 is mounted above longitudinal member 328 and firstfoot 324. Standing platform 310 has a front end 362 and a rear end 364in opposed relation thereto. Front end 362 extends forward of first foot324 and rear end 364 is disposed adjacent the intersection oflongitudinal member 328, connecting member 330 and mounting arm 332.

Bench 312 is another form of a user support for supporting the user ofmachine 300 during use thereof. Bench 3121 is removably mounted on frame308. In particular, bench 312 is connected to a bench mounting frame 366which includes a longitudinally extending base structure 368 and a pairof legs 370 connected to and extending downwardly from base structure368 adjacent front end 302 of machine 300. Base structure 368 forms ayoke 372 adjacent a front end thereof including a pair of arms 374 eachdefining a hole 376 for removably receiving a fastener 378 in the formof a bolt for removably connecting base structure 368 to mounting arm332 of frame 308. In particular, fastener 378 extends through holes 376and a hole 380 (FIG. 20) formed in mounting arm 332. Legs 370 of benchmounting frame 366 are connected to one another via a connecting rod 382which extends axially between legs 370 adjacent a lower end thereof.When bench 312 is mounted on frame 308, connecting rod 382 is disposedatop standing platform 310 with front end 362 extending forward of legs370 and connecting rod 382.

Pivotable member 314 is substantially centered with respect to opposedsides 306 of machine 300 and similarly substantially centered betweenrespective opposed sides of frame 308, standing platform 310 and bench312. Pivotable member 314 is pivotably mounted on frame 308 adjacentupper end 334 of mounting arm 332 via a pivot member 384 in the form ofa bolt. Pivot member 384 extends in an axial direction with pivot axis316 (FIG. 17) extending therethrough. Pivot member 384 and pivot axis316 are rearwardly spaced from standing platform 310 and bench 312 inthe longitudinal direction of machine 300. Pivotable member 314 isrotatable between a fully forward rotated position (FIGS. 17-18) and afully rearward rotated position (approximated by FIGS. 24-25).

Pivotable member 314 includes a first portion 386 which extends forwardfrom pivot axis 316 and a second portion 388 which extends rearwardlyfrom pivot axis 316 in a direction generally opposite to that of firstportion 386. Part of first portion 386 of pivotable member 314 extendsover each of standing platform 310 and bench 312 directly thereabovewhen pivotable member 314 is in the fully forward rotated position.

First portion 386 of pivotable member 314 is extendable and retractable.In particular, first portion 386 includes a substantially straight firstsegment 392 and an extendable and retractable second segment 394 whichis slidably received within an interior chamber 396 (FIG. 22) of firstsegment 392. Extendable second segment 394 has a forward end 398 whichis angled downwardly in a first position as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Anaxially extending handle 400 is connected to second segment 394 adjacentforward end 398 thereof and extends laterally in both directions so thatsecond segment 394 and handle 400 form a T-shaped structure with handle400 extending perpendicularly to second segment 394.

Second portion 388 has a terminal end 390 and is arcuate over its lengthfrom terminal end 390 to adjacent axis 316. In particular, secondportion 388 forms a substantially constant arc which curves downwardlyand generally toward frame 308. In particular, the arc defined by asecond portion 388 is constant with respect to the upper mountingmembers 354B on leg 336 wherein the center of the circle of which saidconstant arc is a portion lies on axis 356 of members 354B whenpivotable member 314 is in the fully forward rotated position (FIGS.17-18). No part of second portion 388 of pivotable member 314 extendsover platform 310 or bench 312. The length of second portion 388 is inthe order of the height of frame 308.

Pivotable member 314 has a length extending from terminal end 390 tofirst end 398 generally in the longitudinal direction of machine 300.The length of pivotable member 314 when in the retracted position isroughly of the same order as the length of frame 308. Pivotable member314 has a cross sectional height (FIG. 22) extending in the axialdirection of machine 300 and a cross sectional width wherein the lengthof pivotable member 314 is substantially greater than either of thewidth and height thereof. The cross sectional height and width aresubstantially the same here as pivotable member 314 is substantiallycylindrical. Thus, the length of pivotable member 314 is substantiallygreater than and indeed far exceeds the greatest aspect of the crosssectional dimension taken perpendicularly to the length. The ratio ofthe length to the cross sectional dimension of pivotable member 314 isusually in the range of 15:1 to 28:1 when in the retracted position andin the range of 25:1 to 38:1 when in the extended position. Moretypically, this ratio is in the range of 20:1 to 24:1 when in theretracted position and in the range of 28:1 to 34:1 when in the extendedposition.

The analogous ratio for pivotable member 120 of exercise machine 100 isin the order of about 50:1 and for pivotable member 230 of exercisemachine 200 is in the order of about 30:1. Thus, due to the requirementsof minimizing the amount of material used to form the respectivepivotable members and the need for each pivotable member to extendsufficiently in either direction from the pivot axis, as will beunderstood by one skilled in the art, the length of the pivotablemembers far exceed their respective cross sectional dimensions.

A pair of pulley mounting locations 402 and 404 in the form of U-shapedloops are mounted on first portion 386 of pivotable handle 314. Moreparticularly, mounting location 402 is connected to extendable secondsegment 394 adjacent forward end 398 thereof and mounting location 404is connected to first segment 392 adjacent a forward end 406 thereof.The loops of mounting locations 402 and 404 extend generally downwardlyfrom pivotable member 314. A removable securing mechanism 408 ispositioned adjacent and spaced rearwardly from forward end 406 of firstsegment 392 of pivotable handle 314. Securing mechanism 408 includes ahandle 410 with a rod 412 extending therefrom. Securing mechanism 408selectively secures second segment 394 to first segment 392 of pivotablehandle 314 at a desired position, as detailed later.

A first set 414 of pivotable member mounting locations is mounted onfirst segment 392 adjacent forward end 406 thereof and has substantiallythe same configuration as first set 342 of frame mounting locations andthus is described here only briefly. First set 414 includes a pair ofmounting structures 416 each having a bar 418 with axially extendingmounting members 420 each defining an axially extending axis 422 asdescribed with first set 342 of frame mounting locations.

A second set 424 of pivotable member mounting locations is disposed onsecond portion 388 of pivotable member 314. More particularly, secondset 424 includes a first pair of mounting locations 424A in the form ofmounting members 426 removably connected to and extending in the axialdirection laterally from opposite sides of second portion 388 ofpivotable member 314. An axially extending axis 428 extends through eachmounting member 426 whereby mounting members 426 are coaxial with oneanother. Second set 424 of pivotable member mounting locations alsoincludes a second pair of mounting locations 424B which are movablymounted on second portion 388. More particularly, the second mountinglocations 424B includes a movable mounting structure in the form of aslidably moveable sleeve 430. A pair of mounting members 432 areremovably connected to and extend axially respectively from oppositesides of sleeve 430 (FIG. 24) and define a common axis 434 which extendsin the axial direction. Sleeve 430 is substantially cylindrical anddefines an interior through passage 436 (FIG. 19) which receives secondportion 388 of pivotable member 314 whereby sleeve 430 is slidable alongsecond portion 388. Sleeve 430 defines a threaded hole 438 (FIG. 19)which receives a locking member 440 having a threaded portion whichthreadably engages sleeve 430 via threaded hole 438 in order toselectively secure or lock sleeve 430 and thereby mounting locations424B at a desired position.

First set 342 of frame mounting locations and first set 414 of pivotablemember mounting locations are used in conjunction with one another forthe mounting of gas springs 318 or other force producing mechanisms, aswill be discussed in further detail below. Similarly, second set 352 offrame mounting locations and second set 424 of pivotable member mountinglocations are used in conjunction with one another for mounting gassprings 318, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. More particularly, each gasspring 318 has a first end 442 and a second end 444 opposed thereto andis elongated between said first and second ends 442 and 444. Each gasspring 318 includes a piston 446 and cylinder 448 which slidablyreceives piston 446 therewithin. Regarding the positioning of gassprings 318 shown in FIGS. 17-18, the pistons 446 of a respective pairof gas springs 318 are pivotally and removably mounted adjacentrespective first ends 442 thereof to a respective pair of mountingmembers 354A about axis 356 thereof and the respective cylinders 448 ofsaid pair of gas springs 318 are pivotally and removably mountedadjacent respective second ends 444 thereof respectively to mountingmembers 426 about axis 428 thereof.

A second pair of gas springs 318 are respectively pivotally andremovably mounted adjacent first ends 442 thereof to mounting members354B on leg 336 and pivotally mounted adjacent respective second ends444 thereof to respective mounting members 432 on sleeve 430. As shownin FIG. 18, this second pair of gas springs 318 is moveable in adirection indicated by Arrow A in accordance with the sliding movementof sleeve 430 along second portion 388 of pivotable member 314. Thissecond pair of gas springs 318 and sleeve 430 are shown in phantom intwo alternate positions indicating the selective aspect of positioningthe mounting members 432 as desired. The length of second portion 388 ofpivotable member 314 is sufficient to provide a suitably large range ofmounting locations for gas springs 318 via sleeve 430 or anothermounting structure to provide a suitable range of force variation whichmay be selected by the user. This length is simultaneously suited sothat in the fully rearward rotated position of pivotable member 314,terminal end 390 is adjacent second foot 326 without contacting floor322.

It is noted that, as illustrated with machine 200 if FIGS. 13-14, forceproducing mechanisms may be simultaneously mounted on each of the firstand second portions 386 and 388 of pivotable member 314, and may includedifferent types of force producing mechanisms so that one produces forceduring extension and the other produces force during retraction orcompression.

The operation of exercise machine 300 is now described. With referencesto FIGS. 17 and 18, locking member 440 is loosened if desired to allowthe adjustment of the position of sleeve 430 and thereby the position ofmounting members 432 and the pair of gas springs 318 pivotally mountedthereon. Once sleeve 430 is moved to a desired position, locking member440 is tightened to lock sleeve 430 in position in preparation for useof machine 300. The slidable nature of sleeve 430 along second portion388 allows an infinite number of positions along second portion 388.This allows for different degrees of resistance to the movement ofpivotable member 314 whereby the closer that sleeve 430 is to pivot axis316, the less resistance will be experienced by the user of machine 300and the farther sleeve 430 is positioned from pivot axis 316, thegreater the resistance that will be experienced. Thus, the phantomposition indicated at 450 in FIG. 18 is a relatively easier positionwhile the phantom figure indicated at 452 in FIG. 18 is a relativelyharder position with respect to the degree of resistance that must beovercome to rotate pivotable member 314. The constant arc of secondportion 388 of pivotable member 314 detailed above allows sleeve 430 toslide smoothly without binding when pivotable member 314 is in the fullyforward rotated position.

Once sleeve 430 and the gas springs 318 connected thereto are positionedas desired, the user of machine 300 may lay, sit or assume any othersuitable exercise position on bench 312, such as those described withregard to the previous embodiments, in order to perform such exercisesas bench presses or overhead presses and so forth. The user would thustypically grasp handle 400 and move handle 400 rotatably upwardly suchthat pivotable member 314 pivots about axis 316 against a resistanceforce produced by the gas springs 318 connected to leg 336 and secondportion 388 of pivotable member 314. Any number of gas springs may beused and machine 300 may be modified in order to include additionalmounting locations and additional gas springs or other force producingmechanisms for increasing the amount of force if desired. Preferably,gas springs or other force producing mechanisms are used in pairs onopposite sides of pivotable member 314 in order to minimize any bindingof pivotable member 314 about pivot member 384.

As shown in FIG. 20, gas springs 318 are removed as indicated by ArrowsB in preparation for use in alternate locations and may be reinstalledas desired. In addition, bench 312 along with bench mounting frame 366is removable from frame 308 as indicated by Arrow C in FIG. 20 once bolt378 is removed from holes 376 of yoke 372 and hole 380 of mounting arm332. Once bench 312 is removed, standing platform 310 is exposed for useas shown in FIG. 21. In addition, securing mechanism 408 is removableand reinsertable as indicated by Arrow D in FIG. 21 in order to allowsecond segment 394 of pivotable handle 314 to be moved outwardly asshown by Arrow E in FIG. 21, thus extending pivotable member 314 andhandle 400 outwardly to an alternate location which may be more suitableto standing exercise of machine 300. More particularly with regard tosecuring mechanism 408 and with reference to FIG. 22, first segment 392of pivotable member 314 defines a pair of holes 454 and second segment394 defines a pair of holes 456 aligned therewith for removablyreceiving rod 412 of securing mechanism 408 in order to allow theextension of handle 440 as previously described.

Removal and reinsertion of securing mechanism 408 as indicated by ArrowF in FIG. 23 also allows the rotational movement of second segment 394as indicated by Arrow G in FIG. 23 to allow second segment 394 to moveto a second position wherein the portion of second segment 394 adjacentend 398 angles upwardly and handle 400 is positioned upwardly relativeto the first position shown in the previous figures. The rotation ofsecond segment 394 maybe used in conjunction with bench 312 connected asshown in FIG. 23 or removed as desired to facilitate different exercisesor the preference of the individual user of machine 300. Othermechanisms for adjusting handle 400 to alternate positions will bereadily evident to those skilled in the art.

With references to FIGS. 24-26, some of the versatility of machine 300is revealed. Gas springs 318, having been removed from mounting members354, 426 and 432, are now shown mounted on respective mounting members348 and 420. An additional pair of gas springs 318 has been added toindicate the use of a total of six gas springs in the position ofmachine 300 shown in FIGS. 24-26. Machine 300 may also include acable-pulley assembly 458 which includes an upper pulley 460, a lowerpulley 462 and a flexible line in the form of a cable 464 which movablyengages pulleys 460 and 462 in a manner known in the art. The flexibleline may also be in the form of a rope or other suitable flexiblematerial capable of use with pulleys and having sufficient tensilestrength for the intended use. Upper pulley 460 is mounted on mountinglocation 402 of extendable second segment 394 of pivotable member 314and lower pulley 462 is mounted on mounting location 340B of frame 308.Cable 464 has a first end 466 which is mounted at mounting location 404and a second end 468 on which is mounted a handle 470.

The very simple removal of gas springs and reattachment as discussedabove allows machine 300 to be used in a resistance mode when pivotablehandle 314 is rotated in the first direction (counterclockwise, FIG. 25)with first portion 386 thereof moving generally downwardly towardsstanding platform 310 or bench 312 when attached to frame 308. Thus,with or without bench 312 mounted on frame 308, the user can either pulldownwardly on handle 400 against resistance provided by gas springs 318or may pull downwardly and/or in a forward direction towards front end302 of machine 300 on handle 470 against said resistance. The use ofmachine 300 in this manner may be achieved with or without extendingsecond segment 394 of pivotable member 314. However, extending secondsegment 394 facilitates exercise in a standing position. It will beappreciated that second segment 394 may be adjusted to any locationbetween a fully retracted and a fully extended position to allow for agreater variety of positions for use of machine 300. It will beappreciated in addition, that the extension and retraction of secondsegment 394 also affects the amount of force which must be used toovercome the resistance provided by gas springs 318 as the more extendedpositions provided a greater amount of leverage.

As discussed with the positioning of gas springs 318 when used withsleeve 430 and associated mounting locations, the various mountinglocations 348 and 420 provide a varying degree of force, with a greaterdegree of force being produced by a gas spring which is mounted onmounting locations 348 and 420 which are relatively farther away frompivot axis 316 with respect to the other mounting locations 348 and 420.In addition, of course, the user may select the number of gas springs318 that are desired to produce a suitable resistance force for thatindividual user. Further, one gas spring 318 may be mounted at any ofthe mounting locations 348 and 420 to vary the force, that is, forexample, one gas spring 318 may be mounted on any one of mountingmembers 348 and any one of mounting members 420 and may or may not beused in conjunction with another gas spring mounted at mountinglocations 348 and 420.

Referring to FIG. 25, Arrow H indicates the pivotable movement ofpivotable member 314 in the first direction (counterclockwise) and thesecond direction (clockwise). Arrow J indicates generally theback-and-forth movement of handle 470 and cable 464 which also affectsthe movement of pivotable member 314. Arrow K in FIG. 25 indicates theextension and retraction of gas springs 318 in response to the movementof pivotable member 314. With reference to FIG. 26, machine 300 alsoprovides a unique feature with regard to the use of cable-pulleyassembly 458 in the configuration shown or a similar configuration. FIG.26 shows machine 300 with second segment 394 of pivotable member 314 ina retracted position and with lower pulley 462 mounted at mountinglocation 340A instead of 340B.

When the user of machine 300 pulls handle 470 in the direction shown byarrow L in FIG. 26 to compress spring 318 in the direction indicated byarrow K, pivotable member 314 moves downwardly along the path of arrow Hto the position shown in phantom lines. At the position shown in phantomlines, handle 470 is being pulled forward in the direction shown byarrow P, thus demonstrating a changed direction in which handle 470 ispulled and a corresponding change in the direction of the origin offorce against which handle 470 is pulled. It will be appreciated that aspivotable member 314 rotates toward the fully forward rotated positionshown in phantom, this direction of the origin of force changescontinually throughout the pivoting movement of pivotable member 314. Atany given time during the pulling of handle 470, the direction alongwhich the resistance force is acting with respect to the user of machine300 is defined by the linear portion of cable 464 extending from uppercable 460 to handle 470. This change in the direction of the origin offorce allows the user of machine 300 to experience the exercise ofvarious muscle groups in a continually changing fashion during thecourse of pulling handle 470 and/or the use of differing muscle groupsdue to the changing direction of the origin of force. Applicant alsocontemplates that this changing of the direction of origin of force willbe applicable in other regards. FIG. 26 also illustrates well the use offirst stop 358 and second stop 360. In particular, first stop 358 limitsthe rotation movement of pivotable member 318 in the first directionwhen pivotable member 314 contacts first stop 358 as indicated by thepivotable member 314 in phantom. Second stop 360 limits a rotation ofpivotable member 314 in the second direction when terminal end 390 ofpivotable member 314 contacts second stop 360, which is approximated inFIG. 26 in the solid line illustration of pivotable member 314. (Ananalogous stop of exercise machine 200 illustrating actual contact bypivotable member 230 is shown in FIG. 15.) The limitation of rotation bystops 358 and 360 serves in part to protect gas springs 318 from damageassociated primarily with over extension thereof.

FIG. 27 illustrates the use of machine 300 with cable-pulley assembly458 situated in a different orientation. In particular, while upperpulley 460 and lower pulley 462 are mounted in the same location asshown in FIG. 26, second segment 394 of pivotable member 314 is again inthe extended position and cable 464 is connected adjacent first end 466thereof at mounting location 340B of frame 308 so that cable 464 islooped about pulleys 460 and 462 in a fashion generally opposite to thatshown in FIG. 26. More particularly, cable 464 extends from mountinglocation 340B upwardly and over pulley 460 and then downwardly andaround lower pulley 462 so that second end 468 and handle 470 may bepulled in a generally upward direction by the user of machine 300 inorder to take advantage of a different direction of the origin of force.It is noted, however, that this arrangement of cable-pulley assembly 458does not provide the changing direction of the origin of force as aresult of the pivotable movement of pivotable member 314 as discussedwith regard to FIG. 26. As a result of the alternate orientation ofcable-pulley assembly 458, handle 470 moves generally in the directionindicated by arrow Q to move pivotable member 314 as indicated by ArrowH and gas spring 318 as shown by Arrow M, as discussed previously.

Exercise machine 500, the fourth embodiment of the invention, is shownin FIG. 28 and is similar to machine 300 except for the use of differentmounting structures mounted on mounting arm 332 and on pivotable arm314. In particular, machine 500 includes a mounting structure 502mounted on mounting arm 332 in a position analogous to that of mountingstructure 344 of machine 300. Mounting structure 502 includes a pair ofbars 504 (only one shown) mounted on opposite sides of mounting arm 332.A pair of mounting members 506A and 506B extend axially from each bar504 such that each pair of mounting members 506A and 506B are alignedwith the respective pair mounted on the other bar 504 to be alignedaxially as discussed with regard to mounting members 348 of machine 300.Pivotable member mounting locations are carried by an alternate mountingstructure 508 mounted on pivotable member 314. Mounting structure 508defines an arcuate slot 510. A pair of gas springs 318 are respectivelymounted on mounting members 506A and 506B adjacent respective first ends442 thereof. Each gas spring 318 is mounted adjacent a respective secondend 444 thereof to mounting structure 508. In particular, a connectingmember 512 is used to connect each gas spring 318 to mounting structure508 via slot 510 such that connecting member 512 extends through slot510 and is selectively securable to mounting structure 508 thereby. Anysuitable mechanism may be used for mounting gas springs 318 to mountingstructure 508 via slot 510 as will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art.

One of gas springs 318 is mounted on mounting structure 508 in aselectively moveable manner as indicated by arrow S and is securable atany position between the positions shown in phantom lines. The other gasspring 318 is mounted in a set position although it may also be moveablymounted in a manner similar to the other gas spring 318. As discussedwith regard to sleeve 430 of machine 300, the movement of gas spring 318as indicated by arrow S in FIG. 28 similarly provides adjustability toany position along slot 510 to provide a greater or lesser degree ofresistance for the user of machine 500. Once again, a lesser resistanceforce is created as the moveable gas spring 318 is positioned closer toaxis 316 and a relatively greater force is created as gas spring 318 ismoved away from axis 316.

Thus, exercise machine 300 provides a relatively compact exerciseapparatus which provides resistance force for the use of exercisingwithout the necessity of using weights or much larger machinery in orderto provide a variety of exercise positions for exercising various musclegroups. Eliminating the use of weights has safety advantages and savesspace, as discussed previously. It is contemplated, however, thatweights may be used on a modified version of exercise machine 300 inaddition to the force producing mechanism such as gas springs 318 ifdesired. In addition, machine 300 is a compact unit which provides agreat variety of different exercises without the use of a much largerstructure typically required with other exercise machinery.

A variety of changes may be made to machine 300 that are within thescope of the present invention, as will be appreciated by those skilledin the art. For example, the frame of a machine such as machine 300 maybe varied in a number of ways while still providing the sufficientmounting locations and adjustability aspects that are important tomachine 300. Machines similar to machine 300 may be used only with astanding platform such a platform 310 or only with a bench such as 312although the removability of bench 312 and the use of platform 310 addto the benefits of machine 300.

Various mounting structures have been described herein with regard tomachine 300 which are associated with mounting of gas springs 318 orother force producing mechanisms. It is contemplated that any of thesetypes of mounting structures may be interchanged with one another asdesired to facilitate the adjustment of the force producing mechanismsin producing greater or lesser degrees of resistant force. Thus, each ofthe various types of mounting structures described herein, or othersuitable structures, may be disposed on either frame 306 or pivotablemember 314. For instance, a sleeve like sleeve 430 may be used on leg336 of mounting arm 332; mounting structures like structures 344 and 416may be used on leg 336 or second portion 388 of pivotable member 314;and mounting members like mounting members 354 may be used on mountingarm 332 and pivotable member 314.

Mounting members 354 may be mounted on leg 336 in various ways. Forinstance, they may threadably engage a threaded hole in leg 336 or maybe a single rod extending all the way through leg 336 via holes thereinand held in place by various retaining clips or pins. Such optionspermit removal of mounting members 354, although they may be fixedlymounted by welding or by another suitable manner known in the art.

As noted sleeve 430 may be removably mounted on pivotable member 314.Sleeve 430 may be formed, for example, in two pieces which areselectively removably from one another or pivotally attached to allowremoval of sleeve 430 from pivotable member 314. Such a configuration isreadily applicable to use of a sleeve like sleeve 430 used on leg 336 ormounting arm 332. Another example to make sleeve 430 removable is tomake mounting members 426 removable to allow sleeve 430 to slide offterminal end 390 of pivotable member 314. Where are sleeve similar tosleeve 430 is mounted on frame 308, for instance on leg 336, the framemembers may be removably connected to allow removal of the sleevetherefrom. Thus, for instance, leg 326 may be removably mounted on leg336.

The preferred removable feature of the various mounting structuresdescribed allows for their replacement if damaged instead of replacingmore costly structure, such as the pivotable member or portions of theframe.

Frame 308 and pivotable member 314 are formed of tubular members, butthis is not necessary to the function of the exercise machine. Thus, thestructural members may be solid and may be in the form of substantiallyflat plates where appropriate. For instance, pivotable member 314 may beformed of a metal plate as opposed to a tubular member. A host of otheroptions is readily apparent to one skilled in the art. While it is anadvantage to have an extendable handle/first portion of the pivotablemember, many exercises may still be performed on machine 300 withoutthis feature. It will be appreciated also that the extension andretraction of handle 400 may be achieved in a great variety of ways aswill be evident to those skilled in the art.

As noted previously, gas springs are preferred as the force producingmechanism. However, other force producing mechanisms known in the artmay be used, either alone or in combination with gas springs. Variouselastic members such as rubber or other elastomers may be suitable andparticularly for creating a resistance force during extension thereof,in contrast to the compression of gas springs.

Exercise machine 600, the fifth embodiment of the present invention, isshown in FIG. 29. Machine 600 is configured for use with a separateexercise apparatus 602. Machine 600 is a truncated version of machine300 and thus more compact. As it is readily evident, machine 600eliminates the use of a larger frame such as frame 308, a standingplatform such as platform 310 and a bench such as bench 312 of machine300. In addition, a truncated pivotable member is used. Moreparticularly, machine 600 includes a frame 604 including a base 606 withan upright 608 extending upwardly therefrom. Frame 604 further includesa mounting arm 610 which angles generally upwardly from a rear end 612of base 606 to intersect upright 608 adjacent an upper end 614 thereof.An axially extending foot 615 analogous to foot 326 of machine 300 ismounted adjacent the intersection of base 606 and mounting arm 610.Mounting arm 610 has an upper end 616 defining a stop 618. A pair ofmounting members 620 and 622 analogous to mounting members 354A and 354Bof machine 300 extend axially from either side of mounting arm 610,although only one pair is shown.

A pivotable member 624 is pivotally connected to frame 604 adjacentupper end 614 of upright 608 about an axially extending pivot member 626whereby pivotable member 624 is rotatable about an axially extendingpivot axis extending through pivot member 626. Pivotable member 624includes a first portion 628 extending generally longitudinally in afirst direction which is generally away from pivot member 626 and asecond portion 630 extending generally and longitudinally in a directiongenerally opposite that of first portion 628 and way from pivot member626. Second portion 630 is an arcuate member which has a constant curveas discussed with regard to second portion 388 of pivotable member 314of machine 300. This constant arc is with regard to mounting member 622in the same fashion as the arc of second portion 388 with respect tomounting member 354B of machine 300. Pivotable member 624 has a terminalend 632 distal first portion 628. A mounting location 634 in the form ofa loop extends downwardly from pivotable member 634 adjacent terminalend 632. A pair of mounting members 636 (only one shown) extends fromeither side of pivotable member 624 in a position analogous to that ofmounting members 426 of machine 300. Another pair of mounting locations638 (one shown) extends from either side of sleeve 430 and is analogousto mounting member 432 of machine 300.

A pair of gas springs 318 is mounted in the same manner as describedwith regard to machine 300. Machine 600 includes a cable-pulley assembly640 including a pulley 642 mounted on mounting arm 610 adjacent itsintersection with base 606. Cable assembly 640 also includes a cable 644which moveably engages pulley 642. Cable 644 has a first end 646 mountedat mounting location 634 on pivotable member 624 and a second end 648which is adapted to mount to exercise apparatus 602. Apparatus 602 is apiece of the exercise machinery which is adapted to utilize a cable suchas cable 644.

Thus, machine 600 is configured to provide the resistance force asdiscussed with regard to exercise machine 300 with the use of gassprings or other force producing mechanisms in conjunction with the useof sleeve 430 or a similar mechanism for adjusting the force asdiscussed therewith. As explained with regards to the exercise machine300, sleeve 340 is moveable in the direction indicated by arrow T inFIG. 29. In addition, cable 644 is moveable as indicated by arrow U inFIG. 29 to move pivotable member 624 in a fashion somewhat similar tothat described with regard to machine 300. Thus, machine 600 providesthe advantages discussed with regard to machine 300 in using gas springs318, sleeve 430 and so forth. As a result, exercise apparatus 602 may beadapted to utilize the resistance force provided by gas springs 318alone or in conjunction with other force producing mechanisms associatedwith apparatus 602. Machine 600 is also substantially more compact thanmachine 300 and thus more suited to being more easily moved andpositioned with regard to use with apparatus 602.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

1. An exercise machine comprising: a frame adapted to sit on a floor andhaving a plurality of frame mounting locations; a pivotable memberpivotally mounted on the frame about a pivot axis and having at leastone pivotable member mounting location; and at least one gas springmountable at the at least one pivotable member mounting location andselectively mountable at a respective one of the frame mountinglocations.
 2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one pivotablemember mounting location includes a plurality of mounting locations; andwherein the at least one gas spring is selectively mountable on thepivotable member at a respective one of the pivotable member mountinglocations.
 3. The machine of claim 2 wherein the at least one gas springincludes a plurality of gas springs each mounted at a respective one ofthe pivotable member mounting locations and at a respective one of theframe mounting locations.
 4. The machine of claim 1 wherein the framehas a pair of opposed ends and a pair of opposed sides; and wherein thepivotable member is substantially centered between the opposed sides ofthe frame.
 5. The machine of claim 1 further including a first stop tolimit rotation of the pivotable member in a first direction and a secondstop to limit rotation of the pivotable member in a second directionopposite the first direction.
 6. The machine of claim 1 wherein at leastone pulley is mounted on one of the pivotable member and the frame;wherein a flexible line adapted to be pulled movably engages the atleast one pulley so that the pivotable member rotates about the pivotaxis in response to movement of the flexible line.
 7. The machine ofclaim 6 wherein the at least one pulley is mounted on the pivotablemember whereby the pulley moves with rotation of the pivotable member sothat the direction in which the flexible line is pulled varies as aresult of the rotation of the pivotable member.
 8. The machine of claim1 wherein one of the at least one pivotable member mounting locationsand the frame mounting locations is selectively movable and selectivelysecurable at a desired location; and wherein the at least one gas springis selectively positionable via the selectively movable mountinglocation to control the amount of force acting against pivotal movementthe pivotable member.
 9. The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least onegas spring includes a pair of gas springs mounting opposite one anotherrespectively on opposite sides of the pivotable member.
 10. The machineof claim 1 wherein the at least one gas spring includes a plurality ofgas springs; wherein a set of a plurality of mounting locations ismounted on the pivotable member and a set of a plurality of mountinglocations is mounted on the frame; wherein the sets are associated withone another such that a plurality of gas springs are each mountable oneach of the sets at a respective mounting location thereof.
 11. Themachine of claim 1 wherein a mounting member for mounting the at leastone force producing member is removably mounted on one of the frame andthe pivotable member to allow removal and replacement of the mountingmember if damaged.
 12. The machine of claim 1 wherein the pivotablemember includes a first portion extending from adjacent the pivot axisin a first direction and a second portion extending from adjacent thepivot axis in a second direction generally opposite to the firstdirection.
 13. The machine of claim 12 wherein the at least onepivotable member mounting location includes a mounting location on eachof the first and second portions of the pivotable member.
 14. Themachine of claim 12 wherein the frame has a front end and a rear end;wherein a user support is mounted on the frame adjacent the front end ofthe frame; and wherein the second portion of the pivotable memberextends rearwardly beyond the rear end of the frame.
 15. The machine ofclaim 12 wherein a user support is mounted on the frame; wherein atleast part of the first portion of the pivotable member extends over theuser support when the pivotable member is in a fully forward rotatedposition; and wherein no part of the second portion of the pivotablemember extends over the user support.
 16. The machine of claim 12wherein a handle is connected to the first portion and adapted to bemoved by a user to rotate the pivotable member; wherein the secondportion of the pivotable member has a terminal end and is configured sothat the terminal end extends downwardly when the pivotable member is ina fully forward rotated position; and wherein the at least one pivotablemember mounting location includes a mounting location on the secondportion of the pivotable member.
 17. The machine of claim 12 wherein ahandle is connected to the first portion and adapted to be moved by auser to rotate the pivotable member; wherein the second portion of thepivotable member is curved toward the frame; and wherein a mountingmember is selectively movably mounted on the curved second portion toprovide a plurality of pivotable member mounting locations along thecurved second portion.
 18. The machine of claim 17 wherein the mountingmember is disposed on a sleeve defining a passage which receives thecurved second portion of the pivotable member whereby the sleeve isslidably movable along the curved portion.
 19. The machine of claim 12wherein a handle is mounted on the first portion of the pivotable memberand a footrest is mounted on the second portion of the pivotable member.20. The machine of claim 12 wherein a handle is mounted on the firstportion of the pivotable member to form a T-shaped structure with thefirst portion as the upright and the handle as the cross bar thereof.21. The machine of claim 12 wherein one of the first and second portionsof the pivotable member is curved toward the frame and has a terminalend distal the pivot axis; and wherein the curved portion adjacent theterminal end thereof abuts a stop on the frame to limit rotation of thepivotable member.
 22. An exercise machine comprising: a frame adapted tosit on a floor; the frame having opposed front and rear ends and atleast one frame mounting location; a user support mounted on the frame;an elongated pivotable member pivotally mounted on the frame about apivot axis which is disposed rearwardly of the user support; thepivotable member including an elongated first portion extending fromadjacent the pivot axis in a generally forward direction and anelongated second portion extending from adjacent the pivot axis in agenerally rearward direction; the pivotable member having at least onepivotable member mounting location; and at least one gas springmountable at the at least one frame mounting location and mountable atthe least one pivotable member mounting location.
 23. The machine ofclaim 22 wherein the at the least one pivotable member mounting locationincludes a mounting location along the second portion of the pivotablemember.
 24. The machine of claim 22 wherein the at the least one framemounting location is disposed rearwardly of the user support.
 25. Anexercise machine comprising: a frame adapted to sit on a floor; theframe having opposed front and rear ends and at least one frame mountinglocation; a standing platform mounted on the frame; an elongatedpivotable member pivotally mounted on the frame about a pivot axis andhaving at least one pivotable member mounting location; the pivotablemember extending forward of the pivot axis generally toward the standingplatform; and at least one gas spring mountable at the at least oneframe mounting location and mountable at the at least one pivotablemember mounting location.
 26. The machine of claim 25 wherein a bench isremovably mounted on the frame over the standing platform.
 27. Themachine of claim 25 wherein at least one pulley is mounted on one of thepivotable member and the frame; wherein a flexible line movably engagesthe at least one pulley so that the pivotable member rotates about thepivot axis in response to movement of the flexible line; and wherein ahandle is connected to the flexible line and is adapted to be pulledagainst a force produced by the at least one gas spring.